Automatic classifier



May 15, 1951 E. POPOFF 2,553,003

AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER Filed July 30, 1946 L5 H M a 1O Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1951 Filed July' 30, 1946 E. POPOFF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 15, 1951 E. POPOFF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER 3 PM 2% NM/:0

a j 7 47. 44. 71 a ,v... I, n 1/ Q Filed July 30, 1946 wwwi May 15, 1951 E, PQPQFF 2,553,003

AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER Filed July 30, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1 E. POPOFF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER -sh t 5 22 "F 10 Sheets y 15, 1951 E. Porfi'FF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER 6 t e a h s S t e e h s o 1 a 7. 5 Z 5 Filed July 30, 1946 1951 E. POPOFF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER 10 Shegts-Sheet 7 Filed July 30, 1946 E. POPOFF AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER May 15, 1951 1.0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 30, 1946 May 15, 1951 I POPOFF 2,553,003

AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER Filed. July 50, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented May 15, T951 AUTOMATIC CLASSIFIER Emmanuel Popofi, Paris, France Application July 30, 1946, Serial No. 687,110 In France March 25, 1944 7 Claims.

My invention has for its object an automatic classifier which allows bringing at a very high speed and in an automatic manner a docrunent or group of documents to which a number has been ascribed within reach of the person requiring same. This improved classifier has as one of its prominent features the provision of means permitting grouping a certain number of documents so that desired documents are brought automatically to the person requiring them, A further interesting object of my invention resides in the fact that the documents are placed inside an accordion-shaped receptacle which opens automatically as soon as it arrives in front of the user. Thus, it is possible to insert inside each fold of the accordion not only a reference card as in the usual case, but as well a set of documents, provided the thickness of this set of documents is not too considerable and that its size corresponds with the depth of the accordion. Of course, when speaking of reference cards, this term covers as well any other document such as a group of documents, as just mentioned, any flat object, tickets, coupons, booklets and th like, provided only they receive a suitable predetermined classification number.

The proposed classifier is different from most other classifiers due to the fact that it prevents in an absolute manner any error and that once a reference card or the like is inserted within a predetermined fold of a numbered accordion, it arrives automatically within reach of the user, provided the latter has correctly formed the number of this reference card. On the other hand, the improved classifier removes also the possibility of any error at the moment of classification by reason of the fact that a single accordion may be brought at a time within reach of the user, so that it is sufficient for the latter to classify at this moment inside the open accordion the number of reference cards or the like corresponding to the number of folds of the accordion. This number of folds may be chosen as desired. In the preferred case this number is selected so that the classification may de decimal.

A further advantage of the classification according to my invention resides in the fact that once the accordion lying in front of the users eyes has been turned to account, it is sufiicient to depress a key for closing the accordion which returns into its recess whereupon the movable system of which it forms a part is returned automatically into its inoperative position.

My classifier is constituted chiefly by a plurality of boxes, a suitable number of which forms a train: for instance 10 boxes may form a train in the case of a decimal classification; thus, for instance, to give an idea of the possibilities of the invention, each train comprises 10 boxes, each box 10 accordions and each accordion 10 reference cards or documents so that each train may contain 1000 cards. The trains considered are arranged in tiers or columns by reason say of 10 trains per column, i. e. 10,000 cards per column. Supposing the breadth of the walls-allotted to the classification allows it, it is possible by juxtaposing such columns to provide in the space allowed 10, 20, 30 or more columns so as to classify 100,000, 200,000, 300,000 cards and more.

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings which by way of example will allow the manner of executing the invention.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an automatic classifier made according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same classifier.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing part of the classifying mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a separate view of the accordionshaped member adapted to receive the reference or index cards.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the speed change means for the translational movements of the trains of boxes.

Fig. 6 is a front view corresponding to part of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view at a larger scale illustrating the switching means provided for the boxes with reference to the vertical guiding rails thereof.

Fig. 8 is a side view at a larger scale of the mechanism controlling the stopping of the trains in a predetermined position.

Fig. 9 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a separate view of the device controlling the mechanism of Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view at a larger scale showing the means of removing an accordion from its box.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic perspective showing the keys and cooperating members controlling the operation of the classifier.

Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a front view and a side view of the device controlling the operation of the motor for extracting the accordion members from their boxes.

Figs. 15, 16, 1'7 and 18 show four different positions of the train engaging catch system.

Lastly Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram of the electrical connections.

The apparatus includes chiefly a frame I (Fig. 3) provided with a certain number of columns, say two, as in the case illustrated. Each column comprises a certain number of superposed box stories 4. In the example illustrated there are three stories of such boxes 4 per column. In each story 'a train of boxes rests on a U-shaped rail 2, said rails slopin forwardly through an angle of say 30 in the example iflustrated. The rails extending beyondth different stories of a column are all connected with the vertical common rail 3 of the column considered.

- The boxes 4 of each story are interconnected" through hinges 5 so as to form a train. In the example illustrated each train is constituted by 6 boxes.

In each box, there is provided a plurality of accordion members t'in the folds of which are inserted the reference cards or index cards I to be classified (see Fig. 4).

In the form of execution illustrated each accordion includes three folds and'may consequently receive three cards.

In brief, in the above described form of execution it is possible to classify 2 3 6 3 3=324 reference cards. Of course, this comparatively low number has been chosen only for sake of an easier disclosure and as specified herein-above the automatic classifier according to my invention allows storing a very large number of cards as the latter are located in generally unoccupied portions of the premises. As a matter of fact and in accordance with the invention, the cards are brought mechanically within reach of the person using the arrangement, but in their inoperative classification or storing position they may be housed in normally inaccessible points. This allows in particular making use of the upper part of the wall of a room reaching up to the ceiling.

Each accordion member is provided with a rod 8 secured to its upper edge and allowing it to be extracted from the box containing 'said'acco rdi on member. All the boxes from any train i. e. the boxes located in the same story 6f a coluinn are interconnected through hinges pivotally carried by the rods shown at 5 and each train is carried by a cable 9' passing over pulleys l9 and l I, said cable passing through a counterweight |2 common to all the trains and ending with a cone shaped member M the diameter of which is higher than the opening 13 provided in the counterweight I2 for the passage of the cable 9. v

In the storing condition of the train, thecounterweight I2 is in its lower inoperative position, i. e., at the lower end of its stroke; each cone I4 is than held fast by a corresponding catch I5 which prevents any downward motion of the train considered.

The counterweight I2 is secured through its ends to cables or chains l6 which are wound'over the lower and upper pulleys l7 andv Ha. The whole is driven through the agency of the pulleys H which are keyed to the horizontal shaft H3. The movement is transmitted to the shaft [8 through the agency of a pulley l9 (Fig. 6) secured to said shaft and driven by a motor with the interposition of a change speed device which will be now described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.

The device includes a shaft 24" to which are.

keyed three pulleys 2|, 22 and 23, the pulley 22 being driven directly by the motor. A second shaft 25 extends in parallelism with the shaft 24 and to said shaft 25 are keyed a pulley 25, one element of a clutch 21 and a ratchet-wheel 28. On this shaft 25 is also mounted a pulley 29 connected through a belt with the pulley 23' on the shaft 24 and carrying a catch 30 adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel 29.: The. pulley 29 includes an axial projection provided with a groove 3| engaged by the end of a lever 32 in a manner such that the pivotal motion of said lever 32 round its axis may produce a sliding motion of the pulley 29 over its shaft 25; the sliding of the-pulley 29- over the shaft 25 allows bringing the catch 30 into engagement with the ratchetwheel 28 or 'to' release same. When the pulley 29 is in its position to the extreme right of its travel, which position corresponds to the engagement of the catch 39 with the wheel 23, a catch 33 urged upwardly by spring not illustrated in the drawing holds it in said position of engagement.

If the lever 32 is caused to pivot in an anticlockwise direction by drawing the rod 98 in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6) the catch 33.is momentarilyreleased-by the left hand arm of the lever 32 and the pulley29 is displaced towards the right by the right hand arm of said lever 32, which brings the catch. 39 into engagement with the ratchet-wheel 29.-

The clutch 21 includes a second element loosely mounted on the shaft 25 and driven by the pulley 21 through the agency of a belt while the above mentioned'clutch element secured to the shaft 25 includes two levers 3 the inner ends of which are adapted to engage the inner wall of the first clutch element 21 and the other ends of which are engaged by a lever 3'5which when in its operative position urges said levers 34 against the first or loose clutch element 21. The lever 35 is actuated by anelectro-magnet 36. The pulley 2| and clutch elements 2! are substantially of equal diameter whereby when the clutch is operated the shafts 2t and 26 rotate at substantially equal speeds. On the contrary, the pulleys 23 and 29 have very different diameters, the diameter of 29 being for instance ten timeslarger than that of 23. Consequently when the clutch is operated, the pulley 29,rotating ten timesslower than the shaft 24 rotates also ten times'slower than the shaft 25. If the rotary motion of said shaft 25 is executed clockwise the ratchet-wheel 28 keyed to the shaft 25 will slide with reference to the catch 30. As soon as the clutch 21 is disengaged, the shaft 25is no longer driven directly through the pulley 2i and'begins'slowing down. At a certain moment its speed becomes equal to that of the pulley 29 and has a tendency subsequently to sinking below said Value. At this moment one catch 30 engages one of the teeth of the ratchet-Wheel 28 and drivesthelatter at the reduced speed which is that of thepulley 29. Consequently thedisconnection of the clutch 21 causes the speed of rotation of the shaft 25 to pass from a high value to a low value but constrains the rotation of theshaft to continue.

At the connection between the vertical rails 3 and each sloping rail 2, except for the uppermost rail 2 is provided a switching system 31 (Fig. 7) said switching system including a blade 38 adapted to pivot round an axis 39 and submitted to the action of the spring 40 so as to be yieldingly bolted in either of the positions illustrated in Fig. '7- respectively in full drawn and in broken lines.

When a train of boxes moves downwards over its rails 2 the rod 5 forming the hinge on the first box of the train pushes the blade 38 of the corresponding switch into the position shown in full drawn lines in Fig. '7. Then, as the train moves further down along the vertical rails 3, the aforesaid hinge rod 5 brings the blade 38 f the successive switching systems met by the train into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. '7.

The blade is held in position by the spring 45. When the train of boxes is caused to move in the opposite direction and returns on to its rail 2, it passes over the switching system without being shunted, the switching blade being in the position illustrated in dotted lines, until it meets the blade 38 previously rocked by the advance of the train into its position drawn in full lines and the train is then constrained to return on to the rails 2 from which it has originally started.

Each train of boxes moving downwardly along the vertical rails 3 engages at a given moment a toothed wheel 4| (Figs. 2, 3 and 8), the hinge axis between two successive boxes engaging the recessed intervals of said wheel 4|. The original position of the wheel 4| is defined by any suitable device. The wheel 4! is keyed to a shaft 43 which carries also a bevel gear system 45, 46, 41 forming a differential (Fig. 9). The sunwheel t? is keyed to the shaft 43 while the sunwheel (i5 is mounted loosely on said shaft. Lastly the planet pinion 46 is pivotally mounted on an axis carried by a sleeve 44 also mounted loose on the shaft 43. The sunwheel 45 is rigid with a spurwheel 48 provided with teeth arranged spiralwise at the periphery of this wheel; the number of these teeth is equal to the number of boxes in each train, six in the case considered. Moreover the size of each tooth corresponds to the thickness of the box and to the distance between two hinge rods 5 succeeding one another in a train of boxes. The rotation of the wheel 48 round the shaft 43 may be stopped by means of a stop l-Q radially movable with reference to said wheel and. adapted to assume any of six different longitudinal positions corresponding each to the radius of one of the teeth of the wheel 48. In other words, for each of the six different positions which may be given to the stop 49 the wheel 43 is arrested by this stop in a different angular position. The sleeve 44 carries a blade 50 rigidly secured thereto and provided with three teeth as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the number of these teeth being equal to the number of accordion members provided in each box. The total angular length of these three teeth corresponds to the length of each of the six teeth of the wheel 48, i. e. each tooth of the blade corresponds to one third of a tooth of the wheel 48. The three teeth of the blade 56 are radially shifted with reference to one another in a manner such that they may be stopped by a sliding stop 5| in accordance with the position of said stop on a straight line passing radially through the axis of the sleeve 44.

The blade 55 is urged towards its original position by a spring 52 (Fig. 8). On the shaft 43 is also mounted another blade 53 parallel with the blade 55 and of the same shape as the latter. Said blade 53 is mounted loose on said shaft 43. The blade 53 is provided with a stud 53a engaging an arcuate groove 53b out in the blade 50. In the original or inoperative position of the blade 5?], the blade 53 under the action of its weight occupies a position which is defined by the engagement of the stud 53a against the lower end the same speed as the blade 56.

of the groove 53b. The blades and 53 in--' clude various electric contacts adapted to be inserted in the wiring diagram of Fig. 19. These contacts are as follows:

(a) 55-56, one of the elements of which is carried by the blade 53 while the other 56 is carried at the end of a projection rigid with the blade to. In their inoperative or original position, said elements are in contact as shown in Fig. 8.

(1)) 57-58 both carried by the blade 50, the contact-piece 58 being directly secured to this blade while the other contact-piece 51 is carried at the end of an arm 51a pivotally secured to the blade 55 and adapted to be displaced by the stud 53a. In the inoperative position of the different. members, the contact-pieces 51 and 58 are in contact as also shown in Fig. 8.

(0) 51-59, the contact-piece 51 being mounted on the blade 50 as just disclosed while the contact-piece 59 is carried by a lug rigid with the blade 53. In the original or inoperative posi-- tion illustrated in Fig. 8, the contact-pieces 51' and 59 are not in contact with one another.

I will now describe at once the operation of thearrangement for stopping the train of boxes in the position requiredfor the removal of a given. card from the classifying system:

As soon as a train of boxes moving down the.'

rails 3 begins meshing with the Wheel 4!, the latter through the agency of the shaft 43 drives the ly held in the corresponding position and the axis: of the planet pinion 46 remains stationary. The:

rotation of the sunwheel 47 is thus transmitted integrally to the sunwheel 45 through the agency;

of the planet pinion 46.

However the rotation of the sunwheel 45 stops: as soon as the wheel 43 rigid with the sunwheel 45 engages, through one of its stepped teeth, the

stop 55. This stops th rotation of the sunwheel 45 and constrains the axis of the pinion 48 to rotate radially with reference to the shaft 43, theblade 55 being thus carried along in a plane perpendicular to said axis of the shaft 43. Thus the blade 53 which is engaged by the stud 53a of said blade 55 moves also in a clockwise direction at The blade 53 being shifted downwardly with reference to the blade said blade 53 will be the first to engage the stop 5! through one of its teeth. The stopping of the rotation of the blade 53 causes the immediate separation of the contact-pieces 55-55. The blade 5% continues its rotation until it is stopped in its turn by the stop it abutting against the corresponding tooth of said blade 55. At this moment, the contact 5l58 opens and the contact 5l-55 closes. A5 ex lained hereinafter, the opening the contact at 5556 has for its result a reduction in the speed at which thew train of boxes moves downwardly and thereby a reduction in the speed of the wheel 4! so that the last part of the movement is executed more slowly. The opening of the contact at 5! breaks the circuit of the driving motor and stops consequently completely the movement of the train. Lastly the closing of the contact 5l59 starts the motor Which is to make the desired accordion pass out of a predetermined box.

I will now describe the mechanism which leads to the extraction of this accordion (see Figs. 1, 2 and 11). The operation of the accordion is obtained through a bar located in front of the assaoos rel E 3 andthe ends of which engageslots lil in members GE -carried-by the frame. The bar 60" is provided: for eachcolumn of" boxes with two carrier-arms 6| each provided'with an opening 62. These'arms '6l are pivotall y secured to the bar el sdas-to'be capable of rotatinground vertical axes. Stops 63 carried=by the frame are arranged: so as to cooperate with studs 6 la, rigid with the-arms- 6i and urged towardsthe stops by the Spring H. As long as the studs 61a are held. by'thestop- 63 against the action of the spring ll tl'iearmst'l remain spaced away-from the rods 8 of-"the=aecordionmembers and allow: the latter to'pass-freely-in front of the bar 60.

The -bar" So is connected through a link .10 with 'a crank M key-ed to a shaft 6'! which isin its turn driven bya pull'ey 'fi9 connected with a motor 68. The rotation o-f'the crank- 12 has for its result a-slidi'ng movement of the end of the bar 60- along-the-slots 94. During this movement theba-r'tfl m'oves first towards the front up to the endofthe horizontalportion of the groove 64 at 6015 At thismoment a-lateral extension 73 on the connecting rod 70" engages a stop M whereby the end -of theba -6l3isurged-upwardly into the terminal upwardly directed arcuate portion of the-groove B41 The-crank E2 is then at its lower dead point. The crank 12" continuing its motion causes thus'the' end of the bar 50 to advance throughsaid arcu'ate portion of the groove 6 until said end enters the position shown in dotand-dash- -lines at 80c. During the reverse move mentof the crank 72, the end of the bar 65) sinks firstalong-the'arcuate -part of the groove 54 and to this end it should overcome the very slight resistanceofthe spring blade 66 which urges it into the h'oriz'ontal portion of the groove 6 3 after which it 'returnsultimately into its original position 60a.

1' will now examine again the abovedisclosed movement with a view to examining its consequences on the accordion membe located in front of the bar '86 audit will be apparent that the following operations succeed one another during said movement.

As 50011125 the bar iill'begins moving away from the accordion, the spring H causes the arms 6| to'pivot towards one another, said arms being no longer under the action of the stop 63 so that after a-certain travel executed by the ba 66, the holes 52 in the arms 6| engage the ends of the rod 8' of the accordion considered. The accordion is now drawn out by the bar 50 and the other accordions of'the corresponding box are held back byrmeans of small bars not illustrated carried by the frame. During the horizontal movement of thisv bar 60, the accordion is thus drawn out of its boxd. Then, through the displacement of the bar 60 along the arcuate portion of the groove 64, the accordion member is opened. It is thus brought into the position illustrated inFig; 4 audit is easy to extract from saidiaccordion the desired reference card I.

Whenthe shaft fil rotates'in the opposite direction under the action of the motor 68] the above disclosed operations are executed in the opposite sequence, i. e.- during the-travel of the barn-6% from 'theposition 600 to the position-58b the accordion closes and during its travel from 601? to 60a the accordion returns into its box after which the projectionsor studs 6 la come into contact: with thestops' 63 so that the arms Gi pivot outwardly and'releasethe rods 8 of the accordion.

Thepperation ofathe classifieraccording to my inventionis obtained :through arkeyboarddnchid- :The small plate=- ing fiiie rows of keys respectively at; 1T; 18, 'llliandfifl; The-keys! Sand 1! are used f-Or SeIeGt ing the colum-n and the row'of-the' desiredtrain of boxese The keysiw serve for the release' of this train of boxes and'for the starting' of the motor "driving it; The keys T8 Operating selectivelyon thetrain thus defined containing the b'ox' imwhich the desired reference card is held; provide forthe slowingdown of the movem'ent of this-train when the box considered comes near the position atwh ich it is to stop. The keys 19 adapted to select the desired accordion produce the a'ccurate'stopping ofthe box in the position for which said accordion lies in front'of the bar 60.- Lastly-the key NIT producesthe return of the system into its original position.- In the examp1es illustrated; the keys 75 (Fig; 12) the number of which is three correspond each to a horizontal row o-fiboxes. Thesekeys arecarried in a frame not illustrated in said figure and inside whichsaidkeys -are ad apted to slide vertically'in' antagonism with suitable springs-urging them upwardly and whicharenot either illustrated. The stem of eachlkey lfi'carries ashoulder adapted to cooperate' with a catch 8l= keyed to a shaft 84a, said'sh'aft being yieldingly held in a predetermined'angular position by a spring 8% so as to hold the: catch t l-against the stems of the keys 56 said' stems have different lengths from one key'te the other so that the depression of any of'='these-"stems will cause a rotary plate 83 to move angularly through a variable angular di'stanceaccordingtothe key 76 which has been depressed". The keylt'which has been depressed remains-held in said depressed position by the corresponding catch 84 acting on the shoulder of the stem'considered.

The small plate 83 is radially secured to the shaft'fliia'which is rigid in its turnwith a crank 83b to which is pivotally secured a horizontal rod 32; This rod 82'ca'rrie's twoarms 8 la and 8 lb, the number of these arms being equal to the number of'col'umns of trains provided in the classifying arrangement. The three angular positions assumed bythenplateiiii under the action of the depression of the corresponding. keys l6 correspond-to the bringing of the corresponding arm Moor-81b in front of the catch it of'the corre sponding-.column. Consequently the depression of-one ofthe keys IS-brings the arms am and Elbinfront of one ofthe catches E5 of its column, which" catch corresponds to the horizontal row inside. which is located the train to be selected.

Inorderltoallawthearrangement to return intoits origina-lposiition; the keyboard carries a complementaryikeyi l 60 provided with a shoulder 85o adapted to cooperate with a projection-840 keyed".tothe: shaft 8 m.- The radial thickness of theeshouldertfi'o is such. that itscooperation withfthe projection to'gives the shaft 84a. an angular. displacement which greater than that r'eguired ior' the release of the other catches 84 withi'refe'rence to the corresponding shoulders 85. Moreoverthe length of the shoulders 85o axially of the st'em' of-the key is such that during the depression of said key the projection B40 cannot-passabove said shoulder and consequently cannot actas a catch. By reason'of this arrange-- mentsthe"depression of-the key 160, the stem of which is -sh-ort' enough tonot' engage the small plate 83 releases the key l6- whichhas been previously depressed and'allows it to return into itsioriginal positio'n under the-action of a spring. s' returns then into itsoriginal position under the action of a spring not illustrated.

The keys serve for the actuation of any of the arms 8| and more specifically of the arm corresponding to the column inside which may be found the train which it is desired to start. The keys 1? are designed arranged in a manner similar to the keys 16 and they may also be bolted in their depressed position by means of catches 84. They are of different lengths so as to give the small rockable plate ill different angular displacements. This plate is keyed to a shaft Hi3 carrying a drum |5|. The drum |5| is provided with an electrically conductive strip 152a, connected through a frictional member or a yielding connecting blade such as 86 to one of the poles, say the negative pole of a current supply. This conductive strip is connected with a conductive plate I52 also provided at the peripheric surface of the drum |5| and adapted to cooperate with either of the two brushes 91a 9%. These brushes are inserted in the circuit of two electro-magnets 88a and 8812 respectively, which circuits both lead to the other pole, say the positive pole of the current supply. In other words, when the brush 37b is in contact with the small plate I52, the current fed by 86 passes through the electro-magnet 89a while if the drum 5| is rocked so as to bring the plate :52 in contact with the brush are, the

current fed by the blade 89 passes through the electro-magnet 88b. These electromagnets 88a and 8922 are adapted to attract respectively the bars 89a. and 8%, so as to produce the rotation of the arms 8 4a, 3 Hi.

In its inoperative position, the small plate I11 and consequently the drum |5| rigid therewith are in an angular position such that the contact piece or plate L52 is in contact with one of the brushes, to wit B'la. In the example illustrated there are only two columns of trains and consequently only two arms Sid and 8|b and, as it has been just stated, the brush 37a is in contact with the contact piece H2 in the inoperative position of the system; under these conditions the passage of the current will energize the electromagnet 88a so as to rockthe arm Bia; conse quently it is suflicient to provide a single key 1! for rocking the small plate together with the shaft I18 and the drum |5| in order to bring the contact-piece I52 in contact with the brush 87b when it is desired to energize the electromagnet 83b which rocks then the arm 8| b. In other words, the number of keys 1'! being equal to the number of columns of boxes reduced by one, if no key '2'? is depressed the arrangement is ready for the passage of current through one of the electromagnets 88 corresponding to a given column. The depression of one of the keys T| switches then the current into one of the electromagnets corresponding to the other column of trains. As explained hereinabove, a key 110 allows returning the key 7! into its inoperative position.

The desired train of boxes being thus selected through the depression of a key 16 and of a key Tl, it is possible to act on the keys 30 to release said train and to actuate the motor which displaces it. As a matter of fact, it is sufiicient to use a single key 89 adapted to make the small plate 93 rock as illustrated in Fig. 12, but it may seem preferable for various reasons to provide .a number of keys 89 equal to the number of 10 rotation of the plate 93. This plate 93 is keyed to a shaft carrying the contact piece forming part of the switch |94|95 inserted in the electric circuit leading to 8B and mentioned hereinabove. This circuit includes also a contact |292 (Figs. 12 and 19) of which one element is submitted to the action of the counterweight l2 in a manner such that for the inoperative or lowermost position of the counterweight l2 said contact 2|l|-292 is closed while the counterweight provides for the opening of said contact 29 |292 as soon as it begins rising.

The axis of the plate 93 carries also an arm which may be the same if desired as that which has just been mentioned; said arm carries one contact piece 94 of a switch 94-95 inserted in the circuit feeding the electromagnet 96 adapted to actuate the reversing switch I03 controlling the motor 98 (Figs. 5 and 19),

The keys 18 serve for adjusting the position of the stop 49 with reference to the wheel 48. To

' this end, the apparatus includes a certain number of keys 18 the length of the stems of which changes from one key to the other, a suitable spring being provided for urging each key upward as shown in Fig. 10. The lower end of the rod of each of the keys 18 engages when the key is depressed a pivoting plate 9|. The latter is rigid with a quadrant 99, the arcuate edge of which is provided with teeth adapted to cooperate with a catch 92. The plate 9| is moreover rigid with a lever controlling the stop 49.

The operation of this row of keys 18 is easy to understand. As a matter of fact, when one of these keys is depressed, said key produces an angular shifting of the plate 9| and consequently a longitudinal displacement of the sliding stop 49 which brings the latter at a distance from the axis 43 of the wheel 48 which varies according to the key 13 which has been depressed. The rotation of the plate 9| itself depends on the length of the stem of the key 18 which has been depressed, said length depending as stated on the key operated. On the other hand, the quadrant 99 is held against operation by the catch .92 in the angular position given to said quadrant.

An absolutely similar arrangement allows adjusting the position of the stop 5| with reference to the axis 43 through the agency of the keys 79. The detail of the control mechanism actuated by the keys 19 has not been illustrated in the drawings as it is identical as stated with that illustrated in the case of the keys 18.

The release of the stops 49 and 5| is executed by means of rods pivotally secured to catches, such as 92 for the stop 49, which provide for the holding fast of said stops.

I will now describe the operation of the whole classifying system:

As disclosed hereinabove, the arrangement is released by the depression of the key 89, or of one of them in case of a plurality of such keys being used. The depression of said key 89 produces a rotary movement of the plate 93 and consequently provides for the following operations:

(at) The switch is closed at |94-| 95 so as to energize the circuit starting from the negative pole of the current supply through |94|95 and the switch 2|l|292 which latter is brought into its closed position by the counterweight l2 when in its inoperative position and opened as soon as the latter moves away from said inoperaive position, the circuit considered continuing through the blade 83, the contact-pieces 52a, |52, the

:agcaaoos -=brush 81a; the electromagnet 88a .:and:x-the;:positive; pole of the current 1 supply. This has" forsits action; by reasonof the energization of the elec- -tromagnet 88a, to make the armsdila.w pivotzand release the catch l5 corresponding to the train which has been selected through the depression -of the desired-keys'lt and". The cone. Men :the' cable 9 connected withthe train-is thus released and engages the counterweight l2.

' (b)The pulley 29 is released withreference tothe catch 33as shown :in Figs. 5 and'6 as said catch is urged away by the left hand arm of the -le'ver 32 which-is actuated in its turn by the rod "98 caxriedby' theiever 9l keyed' to a shaft carrying-a projection raised by the rocking movement or-a further-projection keyed to the shaft carrying theplate"93=as shown in Fig. 5; the release 0f the-pulley 29-with=reference to :thecatch 33 allows said pulley to move nearerthe wheel 28 under the-action of a spring not illustrated in 'Figsffiand Gwhereby-"the catch 39 carriediby the pulley 29 engages the periphery of the wheel 28.

(0) The movable arms of the reversingswi-tch 99 -which are keyedto the rotary axis of the plate 193 rock'soas' to come into contact with the lower :contact pieces forming part of said reversing :switchin order to makethemotor start inthe direction correspondingto the rising movement I of thecounterweight i;2, the switch 51- 58 being then closedsas-shownin Fig. 19.

The key 80 is held fast in the position it-has been given through the agency of an arrangeument :similar to the catch 84 cooperating with .sthe'keys'lli and 11, wherebythc plate-93 remains Q inithe positionwhich :has been given to' it.

' The movement of the motor is transmitted to r'the'pu lley I! through the agency of' the pulleys 222,123, 29, ofrthe catch 30, of the-ratchet wheel :28 ta-nd of 'the -pulleys2fi and i9. The cablelB vwound over the pulley Hand secured '-'to the :counterweight" I 2 causesthus said counterweight rise. Said counterweight, as soonas it starts, l'clcsesl-theswitch Nil-I02 (Fig. 5).

The-electric diagram of Fig. 19 shows that the closingoffthecswitch till-I102 energizes the elec- -;-.tromagnetf36'through the circuit starting from zthezpositive'terminalof the current supply and ".lea'dingnto the negative pole through the switch ait lt l tfll'the electromagnettfi and the switch 555-156. Said electromagnet 36 controls as ashowninFigsJEi :and 6 the "arm 350i the clutch 34 so as to make the pulley 2'1 rotate integrally vwith'the shafttzfi andconsequently with the polaleyZS. The movement ofthe motor 29 is thus :transmitted to the pulley I"! through the agency of the pulleys 22, 2l, :2l,- :and'l9, which corresponds to:the higher 'drivingspee'd of the pulley IT. The train which was in engagement :withthe: counterweight I2 moves downwardly at -:a-high=speed while said counterweight rises.

".When the-rods 5 carried 'by the boxes '4'of the trainkconsidered'engage the wheel Si-they make tthe' 'latter rotate "together with the "differential isystemsof which it forms-a part. As described hereinabove, the wheel 48 forming partofthe :system considered engages at a given moment cthe stop.=49,'which'produces the rocking Ofthfi ablades -50 -and 53. The blade' 53 which is downwardly shifted ewith reference to the blade '59 15 the'first'to comeinto contact with-the stop 15!. Ihis:producesimmediately the opening of athe switchi:55--'5 6in the feedcircuit of the elecfjtromagnet 36. "The electromagnet 36 is no wlonger fed and consequently the clutch"3 .'35

E12 .isgnollonger :operative:.-.and the train: ceases;:be-

ing driven at a high speed through the::agency of :this a clutch. The downwardimovementtof the train .continues 2111a. reduced :speed .until the 5 -blade 5B is :in its' turn stopped i'byTthe'StOp-H. .At this .momentth'etswitch 5'i-58 opens, which breaks the circuit feeding the motor .29-while the contact 51519is closed was to energise the circuit :starting from' the positive pole supply .10 and leading to the;negative.pole through'the contact pieces 57-459, the switch 95+94 andthe electromagnet 96; the latter being thus ienergized acts on the reversing switch Hi3 so as. to .bring it into a position for which it is incon-tact .16 with'the lower contact pieces (Fig. 19). ST-his 'closes the circuit'starting from the positivepole and leading to the negative pole throughthe winding of 68, the reversing arm I53, the-contacts I96, lild thewinding 68a of the motor and .20 the :lower'contact pieces of the reversing switch.

0 being obtained, the motor-'68 stops automatically because at this moment the wheel -t9 rotating together with the motor produces through the agency of a projection H14 the opening of the contact l95lo6. The operator has then only to removethe desired document out of the open accordion.

If it is desired, after returning the document into its accordion container to remove another document, two cases are to beconsidered:--

either this second document or card to beconsulted is contained in another train of cards or in the'same train as the first considered document,=but to the-front'of the accordion which has been extracted-or *else this second document is located in the-same trainbutto therear of' the accordion'which has just been opened.

In the first case, it is necessary to'return the displaced train into its-starting position andto begin the whole operation which has just "been '50- described over again in order to remove the sec- I01 (see Figs. Sand 12). This operation causes the small plate '93 to pivot in the direction op- 'posedto that imparted thereto through the depression of one-of the keys 89. It produces'the following operations:

(a) It opens the contact 94'-95.

(b) It closes the contact I I'5-| I6 which closes the circuit connecting the positive pole to the negative pole of the electric supply through the switch Hit-J92, the electromagnet 36, the 55Iswitch H 5-ll6. The energization of the electromagnet 35 produces the operation of the clutch 34, 35, 21.

(c) The reversing switch 99 is returned into the position for which its movable arms are in contact with the-upper contact pieces.

(d) ,The pulley 29 is urged away from the I ratchet wheel 29 through the rod 98, the lever '91, the shaft carryingsaid lever and two projections keyed respectively tothis shaft and to '15 the shaft rigid with the plate"93.

The breaking of the switch 94--95 opens the feed circuit of the electromagnet 96. Thus, as apparent from Fig. 13, the lever of the revers ing switch I53 submitted to the action of this electromagnet rocks through the operation of the return spring HG which brings the reversing switch back into the position corresponding to the rearward rotation of the motor G8 and corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 19. The circuit of the motor 63 is thus closed between the positive and the negative poles of the supply current through the winding 68, the arm of the reversing switch I63, the switch II4I I5, the winding 58a of the motor 58 and the second arm of the reversing switch I133.

The motor 68 starts rearwardly and produces the closing of the accordion which has just been opened and is now returned into its box. At this moment, the projection I04 on the wheel 69 rotating integrally with the motor 68 opens the switch II3I l4 and closes the switch III-II2. The opening of the switch II3II4 breaks the feed circuit of the motor 68 and stops its rotation.

The closing of the switch I II-II2 closes the following circuit: negative pole of the supply of current, left hand arm of the reversing switch 99 and cooperating contact piece, winding of the motor 28, switch II!-I !2, switch Ill-l I8, upper contact of the reversin switch 99, central arm of said reversing switch, armature of motor 20, right hand arm of the reversing switch lI-i02, and positive pole of the current supply. This circuit causes the motor to start rotating rearwardly, which returns the wheel 4! together with the blades or plates 50 and 53 into their original position. Simultaneously the cards or boxes forming the train move upwardly and the counterweight I2 sinks. A little before arriving into its starting position, the counterweight I2 moves the contact-piece lI'I awa from the contact-piece H8 50 as to open the switch lI'I-I I8 and to insert the resistance I I9 in the circuit, said resistance being connected shuntwise with said switch. This resistance reduces the intensity in the latter circuit so that the counterweight moves downwardly at a reduced rate.

The cone I4 engaged by the counterweight I2 engages now its catch I5. The counterweight opens the switch IBI-IM which breaks the circuit on the motor 28 in its rearwardly operating direction and de-energizes the electromagnet 36. All the elements of the system have been then returned into their original position. A mechanical connection not illustrated in the drawing between the bar I50 (Fig. 12) and the counterweight I2 has for its action when the counterweight returns into its original position to displace the bar so that it may act on the catches 84, 92 which looks the keys 16, 11, I8, I9 whereby the different keys return into their original positions.

If the second document to be removed is located beyond the previously open accordion in the same train it is no longer necessary to return the system into its original position for proceeding with the second operation. In this case, I depress first the knob I which locks the reversing switch I83, after which the keys 78 and 19 are depressed which correspond to the second accordion to be removed (Fig. 13). This has for its action to brin the stops 49 and 5| into the positions corresponding to the accordions to be extracted. The blade 53 is shifted immediately with reference to the blade 50 under the action of the spring inserted between the blades whereby the switch 51-58 closes and the switch 51-59 opens. The closing of 51-58 starts the motor in the same direction as precedingly. The opening of 5'I59 de-energizes the electromagnet 95 and allows the reversing switch I03 to start the motor 68 rearwardly, so that the accordion which has been precedingly removed and unfolded may be refolded and returned into its box. This being executed, the operations described hereinabove are begun over again in the same sequence and in the same manner, the motor 20 rotatin of course in its forward direction as the reversing switch 29 has not been displaced.

If it is desired to remove all the documents or cards or to fill in succession all the accordions with the documents they should contain, it is possible by operating as disclosed to act in succession on all the accordions in order to proceed with the desired operations.

However the apparatus "may include two further keys allowing the automatic execution of the apparatus. These keys, not illustrated in the drawing, may act for instance as follows:

One of them is connected with a ratchet wheel cooperating with the quadrant 90 previously released through any suitable means, so as to make the stop 49 occupy in succession the operative positions corresponding to the diiferent teeth of the wheel 46. The other key would be mounted in a similar manner on the quadrant through the agency of which the stop 5| is controlled in a manner such that each depression of the corresponding key, which is not either illustrated, may brin the stop 5| into the successive operative positions of the blades 50 and 53. It would then be sufiicient when the operator requires the successive passage of all the accordions in front of him to depress the complementary key, not illustrated and corresponding to the stop 5|, three times in succession as there are three accordions per box, then once on the key corresponding to the stepwise projection of the stop 49, again three times on the key corresponding to the stop 5|, once on the key corresponding to the stop 49 and so on.

In the preceding description and for simplifying the explanations, I have referred to a diagrammatic showing of the engagement of the cone I4 with a counterweight I2 with the assumption that the cables 9 carrying the cones I4 slide inside corresponding openings provided in the counterweight while the upper edges of the cone I4 bear directly on the inner surface of the counterweight. Such an arrangement would not be capable of use in practice for various reasons. In particular, the following considerations should be taken into account:

During the rising and lowering of any train, the weight of this train is balanced by the counterweight I2 so that the electric motor 20 may not have too great an effort to exert. However, it is important to notice that at the end of the rising movement of the train and when it is desired to engage the cone I4 on to its catch I5, it is necessary for the latter to move slightly beyond its inoperative position so as to allow this engagement. Now in the absence of any particular arrangement, any displacement of the cone l4 beyond its inoperative position would lead to a displacement not only of the counterweight but also of all the trains of the system. The system being no longer equilibrated, the

to provide for the reengagement before the counterweight has reached its final inoperative position.

"To this end and as apparent in the figures .mentioned, the counterweight I2 is provided with a number of extensions I2I, the number of which is equal to the number of trains. Each of these extensions is provided with a pivot !22 for .a .twoarm lever I52-I5'I. The arm I52 of this levercarries a sleeve II pivotally secured to its eendand through which passes the cable '9 of the corresponding train while the upper end I ia of .the cone I4 is adapted to bear against the lower edgeof said sleeve.

Moreover to each cone I4 corresponds a socket I56 engaged by said cone at the end of its downward stroke. Each socket I56 is provided with a .slot forthe passage of the corresponding catch I5. To the frame is pivotally secured at 153a a bent lever I55 cooperating with the corresponding cone I4 and the right hand end of which is .located underneath the socket I56 in the path of thecone I i while theleft hand end I550 of the same lever is adapted to bear for a certain position thereof against the side of a stop formed by .aprojection I53 also pivotally secured at I53a to the frame. A spring E58 is inserted between the .projection I53 and the right hand arm of the lever 455. A stationary stop I54 carried by the frame limits the angular displacements towards the left of the projection I53 which is moreover urged towards said stop I54 through the action of.the spring. 154a.

.This arrangement operates as follows:

Fig. .15 shows the different parts in their inoperative position. When under the action of the electromagnet88, and as described hereinabove, a catch I5 which is supposed to be that located the most to'the front of Fig. 15 has rocked so as to release the corresponding cone I4, the

' latter rises inside the socket I55 under the action of the motor 20 which drives the corresponding train of boxes, the same movement being more over executed simultaneously by the counterweight I2. The lever I55 released by the cone I4 pivots then in an anticlockwise direction so that its right hand end may bear against the lower edgeof the socket I55. The stop or projection I53, submitted to a rotation in the same direction, is brought into contact with the stop I54 and the whole arrangement :assumes the position 'shown in Fig. 16.

'When, after a document has been consulted or removed, it is desired to return the classifying system into its inoperative position, as described hereinabove, the counterweight I2 and the cone I'4 receive a downward movement so as to bring the cone I4 into reengagement. At the end of this movement and as apparent in Fig. 1'7, the end I51 of the double lever pivotally secured at I22 to the counterweight I2 bears against the upper surface I53b of the projection I53. From this moment onwards the sinking movement of the counterweight I2 produces a rocking clockwise motion of the lever I52, I5! .during which .the roller I51 rises and moves leftwards along the surface I531). This rocking motion of the arm I52 cooperates'with'the sinking'movement of the pivot I22 of this lever so as to produce'an accelerated displacement .of the sleeve I5I and consequently of the corresponding cone I4. The latter is brought rapidly beyond its engagement position as required before the counterweight I2 has reached its final'inoperative position.

Immediately before the counterweight I2 has reached this position, the cone I4 brings the lever I55 into theposition for which its left hand end 550 urges the projection I53 -towards the right. The sizes of the diiferent parts are designed in a manner such that this latter movement may be executed at the moment at which the roller I5? has reached the upper part of the sloping edge I531) of the projection I55. Consequently the lever I52, being no longer engaged by the projection I53, may not pivot in a direction opposed to its preceding rocking movement so as to allow a slight rise'of the cone I4 whereby its notch may engage the corresponding catch 15. The lever I55 follows this movement under the tractional action of the spring I54! and all the parts return thus. into the position illustrated in Fig. 15. The arrangement is thus ready to resume operation as disclosed hereinabove.

Obviously the different forms of execution described have been given out solely by way of examples and without widening thereby the scope of my invention. For instance, it has been supposed that the different parts of the classifier are driven through electric motors. Now, it is possible to use any other source of energy other than electric. that in case of any failure in the current supply the system may be actuated by hand by means of a suitable transmission adapted to make up for the failure of the motors 20 and 68.

What I claim is:

1. An automatic classifier for documents, records and like articles comprising a framework, a plurality of columns each including a predetermined number of trains, a predetermined number of boxes for containing said documents and hingedly connected to each other to form each train, a guideway for each train provided on said framework, each guideway including a substan tially horizontal and forwardly sloping portion on which the respective .train rests in stored position, and a substantially vertical portion, which is connected to said horizontal portion and over which the respective train travels to operative and display position, train locking means comprising cables secured to each train, means for guiding said cables, members carried by said cables, catches cooperating with said members, respectively, a keyboard including keys each corresponding to a predetermined train, respective electromagnets adapted to be influenced by said keys of the keyboard and adapted to control the connection of the corresponding cable member with its catch, and means for selectively driving a respective cable and the respective train along the guideway of the latter to and from said operativeposition of said respective train.

2. In an automatic classifier according to claim 1, including a counterweight for said trains, and means controlled by the keyboard for connecting said counterweight with each cable member upon release of the latter from its catch and for connecting each .catch with its cable member upon release of the latter from its counterweight.

3. An automatic classifier for storing and dispensing prearranged documents, records and like Moreover it should be foreseen indicators comprising a framework, guide rails carried by said framework and including substantially horizontal guide rail portions and a substantially vertically directed guide rail portion, at least one column of trains, said trains being arranged in superposed position to each other on said substantially horizontal guide rail portions, respectively, said substantially horizontal guide rail portions being connected to said substantially vertically extending guide rail portion, each of said trains including a plurality of boxes hinged to one another, each box containing a plurality of accordion-shaped containers for holding said documents, respective transmission means connected to said trains, locking means cooperable with said transmission means, respectively, driving means operatively connected to said transmission means for moving said trains, respectively, on said guide rails, a control system including a plurality of keys, a predetermined key being adapted to actuate a respective locking means to control the movement of a corresponding train from storing position on its substantially horizontally extending guide rail portion to a display position on said vertical guide rail portion.

4. An automatic classifier according to claim 3, including gear means arranged at the lower end of said vertical guide rail portion and successively engageable with containers of said boxes of a predetermined train.

5. An automatic classifier according to claim 4, including a mechanism for engaging one of said containers and efiectuating withdrawal of said one container from a predetermined box of said train.

6. An automatic classifier according to claim 3, including automatically controlled change speed means, and means adapted to cooperate with said 18 change speed means for controlling the traveling speed of said trains in such a manner that the speed thereof is first reduced and is then automatically raised during the major part of the travel of said trains and returns to a reduced value at the end of said travel.

'7. In a record classifier, an arrangement for bringing automatically to view and for storing automatically any of said records, comprising a plurality of columns constituted by a plurality of trains of boxes, means for driving selectively said trains between storage and viewing positions, a plurality of record carrying members in said boxes, a first mechanism for automatically stopping the driven train in said viewing position, a second mechanism for withdrawing and opening a given record carrying member, further means for actuating said second mechanism when the driven train is stopped in said viewing position, keyboards including keys corresponding to the different columns, trains, boxes and record carrying members, and an electric arrangement comprising contact means controlled by said mechanisms and by said keys.

E. POPOFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 617,965 Lippincott et a1. Jan. 17, 1899 1,683,491 Rippon Sept. 4, 1928 2,174,201 Chauvin Sept. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 52,866 Switzerland July 1, 1911 

